Global electric vehicle (EV) sales reached 1.5 million units in April 2025, marking a 29% increase compared to April 2024, according to data from Rho Motion.
Year-to-date (YTD) sales from January to April totaled 5.6 million units, reflecting a consistent 29% growth over the same period last year. Despite ongoing global trade tensions, the EV market continues its upward trajectory, driven by strong performances in China and Europe.
Charles Lester, Data Manager at Rho Motion, noted that domestic manufacturers in China and Europe are successfully expanding their market share despite concerns about tariffs.
“Ongoing tariff negotiations are dominating talk in the electric vehicle industry.
“But quietly, domestic manufacturers in China and the EU continue to perform well and grow market share.”
Charles Lester, Data Manager at Rho Motion
According to Rho Motion, a leading EV research firm, total EV sales in April 2025 reached 1.5 million, with regional performance varying significantly.
China led the global market with 3.3 million units sold YTD, marking a 35% growth, followed by Europe at 1.2 million units (+25%), North America at 0.6 million (+5%), and the rest of the world at 0.5 million (+37%).
The Chinese EV market expanded by 35% YTD, driven by government incentives such as the vehicle trade-in scheme, aimed at replacing older, less efficient cars with EVs. However, April sales declined by 9% compared to March, reflecting market volatility.
Meanwhile, European EV sales rose 25% YTD, primarily fueled by stricter emissions targets prompting automakers to prioritize fully electric vehicle (BEV) production over plug-in hybrid models.
“The EU is certainly the success story for EV sales in 2025 so far, with emissions targets lighting a fire under the industry to accelerate the switch to electric.”
Global EV Sales Trends
The Chinese EV market saw a 35% YTD growth, with 3.3 million units sold between January and April. In April alone, sales increased by 32% compared to April 2024, reaching 0.9 million units.
This growth is attributed to Beijing’s subsidy extensions and a vehicle trade-in scheme aimed at boosting domestic consumption.
Europe’s EV market expanded by 25% YTD, totaling 1.2 million units sold. Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) sales grew by 29%, outpacing Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) sales, which increased by 16%.
Countries like Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK reported significant growth, while France experienced a 14% decline due to reduced consumer incentives.
The North American EV market grew by 5% YTD, with 0.6 million units sold. However, April sales declined by 5.6% compared to the previous year, marking the first drop since September 2024. This decline is attributed to high U.S. import tariffs and policy uncertainties.
Other regions collectively experienced a 37% YTD growth, selling 0.5 million units. April sales in these markets surged by 50%, driven by increased demand for plug-in hybrids and Chinese exports.
Market Dynamics and Trade Policies
Trade tensions continue to influence the global EV market. The U.S. and China announced a 90-day reduction in tariffs, including the elimination of some and suspension of others.
However, significant tariffs on Chinese EVs remain, limiting their impact on the U.S. market. In Europe, Chinese manufacturers like BYD and Chery are increasing PHEV exports to circumvent higher tariffs on BEVs.
“The plug-in hybrids have almost doubled year to date in the rest of the world, but the main reason for that is the Chinese exports.”
Charles Lester, Data Manager at Rho Motion
Despite challenges, the global EV market is poised for continued growth. Rho Motion projects over 20 million EVs will be sold globally in 2025, an 18% increase from 2024.
China is expected to maintain its lead with 12.9 million units, while Europe and North America are projected to sell 3.5 million and 2.1 million units, respectively.
As governments implement policies to encourage EV adoption and manufacturers adapt to changing market dynamics, the industry remains on a path toward electrification, albeit with regional variations influenced by trade policies and consumer incentives.
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